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Business Development Project – 2023

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Second year engineering students at Lancaster University develop ideas for business opportunities through the core ‘ENGR205 Business Development Project’ module. As a core component of the university’s programmes, the number of students registered for the module is high on the engineering pathway areas of mechanical, chemical, mechatronic, nuclear and electrical and electronic engineering. Students work in groups through the submission of a business plan and the subsequent pitching of the business innovations/ideas brought forward, to a panel comprising members from academia, industry and other areas.

Parasolar

Ten students came together to develop their Parasolar concept for a device that provides an untethered power supply as well as shelter/shade from the sun, comprising integrated solar panel(s) atop a stylish parasol. Their mission statement read: “At Parasolar, our mission is to revolutionise outdoor experiences into a convenient and luxurious oasis to our customers. We aim to supply innovative and eco-friendly solutions that harness the power of the sun to combine functionality of a parasol with state-of-the-art features.”

The product, with a battery installed within its base, would provide sufficient electrical power for appliances such as ‘phone chargers, music speakers, overhead fans, and possibly even mini-cooler devices.

Students:

  • Azooz Al Sharif – Mechanical Engineering
  • Baraa Elrayah – Mechanical Engineering
  • Hugh Lea – Mechanical Engineering
  • Muhamad Adam Muhamad Sukhaimi – Mechanical Engineering
  • Jonathan Sharp – Mechanical Engineering
  • Michael Bromilow – Mechatronic Engineering
  • Natalie Vanessa Chigwedere – Electronic and Electrical Engineering
  • Trudie Morrison – Electronic and Electrical Engineering
  • Ano Chirongoma – Chemical Engineering
  • Kanyimaogor Oditah – Chemical Engineering

Prize awarded: £3,000